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Top 10

Author: gregbaker112@gmail.com
Date: 2016-02-24 02:48

I have seen the need for a literal "Top Ten" list of audition excerpts for one to carry around and work on. Charles Walthall did this for us in 1989 with his survey, but that was merely based on raw data.

Another survey like his would be much easier to conduct today with the availability of audition lists online. Furthermore it could be broken down by region or any other variable.

However in formulating somewhat of a guide for whenever I may get back into teaching, I have come up with the following:

“Top Ten” Clarinet Audition Excerpts

Beethoven Symphony 6
Brahms Symphony 3
Mendelssohn MSND Scherzo
Stravinsky Firebird Variation
Coq Door Prelude
Peter and the Wolf
Bartered Bride Overture
*
*
*

*Explanation: The top 3 will always be the top three. Period. Always have been and always will be. They are essential for demonstrating your clarinet technique and musicainship, and should be played cold perfectly every time.

The middle 4 are very technically demanding. They will have to be worked out every time they come up, whether in concert season or for auditions.

The last 3 are wild cards. You should rotate excerpts from a longer list. The list might include in no particular order :

Beethoven 4
Beethoven 8
Brahms 4
Symphonie Fantastique
Rachmaninoff Symphony 2
Shostakovich Symphony 9
Capriccio Espagnol
Scheherazade
Galanta Dances
Daphnis and Chloe Second Series
Don Juan
Til Eulenspiegel
Shostakovich Symphony 1
Rhapsody in Blue
etc., etc...

Ultimately the excerpts you work on are the ones on your particular audition list. This is simply the most meager of beginnings, but Beethoven, Brahms, and Mendelssohn above is a good start.
Etudes precis and solo repertoire are their own lists and are not mentioned here.

Sorry for rambling but does I want to know what you think about this. Are there other excerpts that should be in the top 3? The next 3? Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

Greg Baker
gregbaker112@gmail.com

Greg Baker
gregbaker112@gmail.com

😀 "Hey! I got nothing to do today but smile."
-Paul Simon

Post Edited (2016-02-24 02:53)

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